2004 Red Sox: Kathryn Gemme finally saw the Red Sox win the World Series, at age 109

Not all fans attend the ballpark on a regular basis, but that doesn’t diminish their fandom. Take Kathryn Gemme, interviewed by this author at age 109. The paragraphs that follow were written in midsummer 2003 and are, in places, obviously dated — given the fact of the 2004 and 2007 World Championships.

Red Sox fans are renowned for their loyalty and longevity (as in “long-suffering Red Sox fan”). While it’s a commonplace to cite the number of years since the Sox last won a World Series, and the “19-18” taunt is often heard during Boston visits to Yankee Stadium, there really aren’t that many people still living who recall that 1918 World Series. What about someone who recalls the 1903 World Series — the first World Series ever held?

Kathryn Gemme turned 108 years old in November 2002. She was born on November 9, 1894 and was almost nine years old when Jimmy Collins, Cy Young, Bill Dinneen and others won the 1903 World Series for Boston. And in 2003, she is more of a Red Sox rooter than ever before, a knowledgeable and dedicated fan who loves to put her Sox on.

Mid-season 2002, Ms. Gemme entered the Atrium Nursing Center in Middleboro, Massachusetts and soon encountered Sharon Gosling, the center’s activities director who claims for herself the title of the “second biggest Red Sox fan” in the facility.

Kathryn has a Red Sox beanie baby that she holds while watching games. Registered nurse Jan Risgin says of Kathryn, “She pops popcorn and watches the game. She watched that game last night [August 27] and was spitting nails,” Risgin said [referring to a 6-0 shutout at the hands of the New York Yankees]. “She’s always talking about Braves Field. She saw Lou Gehrig play and thought he was amazing. Babe Ruth, she saw him play…but then he went to that team.”

That team. She’s no Yankees fan. Don’t get her started. “The Yankees, they were always our enemy. I hate them. You know who I was glad to see out of the Yankees? Paul O’Neill. He was crabby. And that Clemens. I wish they’d string him up. The way he holds that ball and looks at it. What does he think he’s seeing?”

“Kate” Gemme is a diehard Sox fan — and not ready to expire just yet. Once the Sox were eliminated in 2002, she said, “I must just be waiting for them to win another one.” She’s healthy — the only medicine she takes, reports nurse Risgin, are “baby aspirin and a vitamin.”

She’s followed baseball for years and years. And years. If there’s a game on, it’s a priority. “Something gets ahold of you. The radio, the announcing…you could picture yourself at the game. Even when I was at home in my 80s, if people came calling, I’d have to tell them, ‘There’s a game on, you know.’ I’d be listening to the game, not listening to what they were saying.”

She has her favorite Red Sox players these days and she shows a real understanding of the game. Two favorites of today are Nomar Garciaparra and Jason Varitek. Of Nomar, she says “Nomar — that’s MY exercise! Heel and toe. Heel to toe! Nomar. We have accepted Nomar. He is everybody’s favorite, he’s a natural at what he does, he doesn’t thump his chest, and he makes watching baseball thrilling.”

Catchers have always fascinated her. Sharon Gosling explains that Kathryn admires them for the role they play in the game, “calling the throws, the continuous movement, well, just the responsibility in general. She admires Jason Varitek for his confidence, the way he portrays himself, his positive attitude, and the fact he is always ready.” Sharon and Kathryn share a private joke about Varitek and the way he squats behind the plate, a bit of private humor shared between two women. “Varitek. I just like him,” Kathryn says. “When he squats. He seems so confident. I like the way he calls the pitches. They don’t shake him off very often.”

That’s perceptive, and accurate. Pitchers rarely do shake off Jason Varitek. She’s observant about other matters, too. “Did you notice what Daubach does before he hits? Takes his hat off and rubs his head three times.” This is a woman who’s tuned in to the Red Sox.

How long has she been a Red Sox fan? At first, she followed the Boston Braves. “Since I knew anything about baseball, I’ve followed it. Since I was 14 years old. It was the Braves, the Braves. I was born in Chicopee Falls, my home town. I went to school with Rabbit Maranville. He went to Springfield High School and I was in Chicopee just on the border. We got to know each other. He was a cute little guy. And he had that vest pocket catch!

“Back then, baseball was just a game to me. Hitting the ball and running. It wasn’t until I got older that I realized why they would pass anybody [give an intentional walk]. I used say to myself, ‘The damn fool put him on base for nothing.’”

Kathryn does recall the first World Series, though only dimly. “Rah-rah-rah. I knew about it. When you’re nine years old…until I was 14, you don’t pay attention.” She has similarly vague memories of the Red Sox triumphs in 1912, 1915 & 1916 — and if she’s right about being 18 at the time, she attended her first game the year after Fenway Park opened. “We were young kids. 18 years old. We went on a trolley car. I just know they won a lot of them — but they haven’t won for a long time. In 1918, I was 23 and I was raising my children, but I listened to the game on the radio when my husband tuned in. I never forgot the Red Sox. We saw Babe Ruth play. He was a pitcher. I remember him in knickers, and the little steps running to first base. It’s a vivid memory. If Babe Ruth was alive today, he’d be my age.

“My mother was just a plain ordinary woman. She died very young at age 39. My dad was a mechanic. He was a Stevens-Duryea mechanic, the automobile. No college graduate, but he had a lot of logic. That’s my father. My dad got remarried again, which was a no-no then. There were only two children, myself and my sister.

“My husband was a machinist. Ovella Gemme. During the war, he made guns. Stocks. In Springfield. He had to stay home. We had the two children. Stevens Arms and Tools. Gemme — French. Mine was a French name, too — Moreau, although my mother was Irish.

“I was just plain common Lizzie. I’ll tell you, though, I did my share during the war. I helped to assemble parachutes. World War II. They didn’t have parachutes in the first World War. They wanted married women to work. You know how big a parachute is. We had to string them and be sure they were strung right, because if they weren’t perfect, they wouldn’t open. The only time I ever left the house was during the war, to do those parachutes at the Shawmut Woolen Mills.”

Though more interested in the Braves than the Red Sox, Kathryn switched loyalties about five years before the Braves left town. Those were some great Red Sox years, starting in 1946, but it was a catcher who caught her eye. “I’ve been interested in the Red Sox since Birdie Tebbetts.”

Today, baseball plays an important role in Kathryn’s life. “I watch as often as I can. I would say every game. I’ve lost some of my eyesight — the corners are cut off — but I still watch every game. Sometimes I can lose track of the ball, lose the flight of the ball, but my eyes are glued to it. I love baseball.”

Her family pays for NESN so she needn’t miss a single game. At the nursing home, she’ll follow every play — though she has to be respectful of her roommate. “But when she’s out, I turn it up.” What about those late night West Coast road trip games that don’t even start until after 10 PM Boston time? “I don’t take a nap, but I stay with it. I wait till it’s over.”

Baseball has taken on more significance since she turned 100. “The last 8 years, I can’t read. Baseball always thrilled me. Now it’s the only pleasure I have. It’s what I like to do. I don’t care if other people like it or not. I love it. When I was growing up, I didn’t realize [all the strategy]. I just knew I always liked it. I liked the Red Sox. I went to games way back when I didn’t know my ear from my elbow. I won’t live long enough to learn all there is to know about baseball!”

What about off days during the season? “No game tonight? I’ll watch a ball game, though. The National League. Once in a while, I’ll watch Maddux pitch. I’ll watch something. As long as there’s action. I’m ashamed to say, but I like boxing, too.”

Does Kathryn have other interests besides sports? “To tell you the truth, there not much. I had to leave the organ. My son-in-law gave me an organ. I played the organ until about 6 months ago. I’m stuck here. The Red Sox are my Godsend.”

Some capsule comments from Kate:

Ted Williams: Ted Williams? That’s a foregone conclusion. He was the Splendid Splinter. I’d just have to say he was the best ever. I saw him play. I can see that tall, lanky running kid. He kind of loped. I’d never leave my seat, even to go to the bathroom. You had to admire Ted for what he did. I guess he wasn’t very sociable, but he was marvelous with no question.

You know who stands out in my memory? The guy who ran backwards to first base. Jimmy Piersall. I always admired him.

Also, another one — I can picture him pushing his home run. Carlton Fisk. I liked him. Big square jaw. Determination right there.

Varitek is right up there with Nomar, but with half the recognition.

Roger Clemens — He registers nil with me because of his poor personality, but he is an excellent pitcher.

Jim Rice — I absolutely loved him. Besides being a handsome man, he was a handsome player. He was a lot of fun to watch.

Wade Boggs — When he got up, I was sure he was going to get a hit.

Mo. I liked Mo Vaughn.

Canseco, he was a crybaby.

Johnny Pesky. From Doerr to Pesky, I remember that. And he played the hot corner, too.

I liked that nice pitcher for the Red Sox, Luis Tiant.

Even now, I try to remember the replacements on the Red Sox. If you remember your own name at 108, you’re doing good.

Sharon Gosling wrote a letter to the Red Sox about Kathryn Gemme and they responded with a package containing a letter (unsigned) and photos of Nomar Garciaparra (signed), Jason Varitek and Brian Daubach. “I couldn’t believe it — for me?” She showed it to all her new friends at Atrium, but they didn’t seem that excited. “I thought they’d go ga-ga over it. I love it. There’s no doubt about it.” Weeks later, Kathryn was still pleased and excited that the Red Sox had sent her these items. They are minor treasures she keeps with her throughout the season.

After the Red Sox won it all in 2004

Kathryn Gemme was invited to a game at Fenway on May 30, 2004 and was rewarded by a visit to the field, a kiss from Johnny Pesky, and a 9-7 win in 12 innings when Dave McCarty hit a walk-off home run.

After the Red Sox won the 2004 World Series, I reached out to Kathryn the next day and Sharon Gosling wrote me back that day: “She is pleased, and now that her goal is met, she is ready to go. Sad but true, she is now talking about death. She turns 110 on Nov. 9th. She says she hopes to see her 110th, then she’s ready.”

The trophy came to visit her on May 5, 2005 when State Senator Marc Pacheco made arrangements to bring it to the Nemasket Healthcare Center in Middleborough.i

Ms. Gemme died in Middleborough on December 29, 2006, at age 112.

 

Notes

This article, save for the last section, originally ran in Red Sox Magazine (Fifth Edition, 2003) as “At 108, Kathryn Gemme’s Still Putting On Her Sox.”

i Michael Naughton, “At 110, Red Sox fan finds thrill in trophy,” Boston Globe, May 12, 2005: GlobeSouth 5.